YOUNGSTERS in Bexley are invited to take part in a competition to help raise awareness about carbon monoxide poisoning.

The charity Co-Gas Safety has launched a poster competition, inviting children across the country to create a poster high lighting the dangers of the silent killer.

Steven Hadley from Erith is technical director of PP2 pumps Ltd, a plumbing company in Essex.

His company has offered to donate £200 to the prize money because it is an issue he feels strongly about.

Mr Hadely said: “I first found out about this competition when I read an article in one of the charity’s news letters.

“You here a lot of stories in the news about people who have died because of carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Not enough people are aware of the dangers.”

A winner will be picked from two age groups (10-11-year-olds) and (16-17-year-olds) and two regions, north England and south England.

Plus two over all UK winners will be chosen.

Each winning student will receive an iPod and £500 will be given to the winning school to spend on IT equipment.

The closing date is July 31 and posters must be sent my email as a jpeg attachment to postercompetition@co-gassafety.co.uk

For more details about the competition log on to co-gassafety.co.uk/poster_competition or email office@co-gassafety.co.uk